ADAPTATION GUIDE

 The Health/Well-being Conundrum

 

I like the cold weather. It means you get work done.

- Noam Chomsky

 

Our bodies are not designed for icy cold temperatures, and these frigid conditions pose two main problems for humans. Firstly, a sudden drop in temperature can strain the cardiovascular system. 

Many individuals also experience headaches, respiratory issues, or joint pain in response to cold weather. 

The situation becomes particularly perilous when low temperatures are accompanied by strong winds, as the wind can literally sweep away the heat radiating from our bodies, making us more vulnerable to the cold.

In such conditions, rapid skin freezing on exposed body parts and potentially lethal hypothermia can occur. 

At 27 degrees (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit) with additional wind, it takes less than thirty minutes for mild frostbite to set in: fingers and toes become cold and stiff, followed by increasing redness and pain. 

Subsequently, the skin turns bluish, forming blister-like formations similar to burns. These frostbites, known as chilblains, can heal when the skin is warmed. 

If a person remains exposed to the cold, such as after an accident in the snow, the skin may turn dark red to black and die. Affected fingers or toes may require amputation due to the lack of blood supply, as the body redirects blood away from extremities to preserve vital organs during prolonged cold exposure.

The root cause of frostbite is blood deficiency. In persistent cold, the body begins to withdraw blood from the arms, legs, as well as exposed areas like the nose, ears, and other vulnerable regions. 

Blood vessels constrict, slowing down blood flow. Essentially, the body sacrifices extremities to save crucial organs. 

In emergencies, the body's sole focus is to supply life-sustaining organs with sufficient oxygen and nutrients because hypothermia can be deadly.

Once the body temperature drops just half a degree below 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), shivering sets in to generate heat. 

However, continuous movement alone is insufficient as the body must be entirely covered and insulated in extremely cold conditions to retain warmth. Sweating, in turn, accelerates cooling. 

If the body temperature falls below 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit), the person becomes drowsy, disoriented, and confused. 

Blood pressure decreases, muscles and joints stiffen – a dangerous situation as the person may not perceive the severity of the cold and fail to seek refuge in a warmer environment or call for help.

At a body temperature below 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit), a fatal cardiac arrest can occur. 

If you encounter or notice a person experiencing hypothermia, it is crucial to move them to a wind-sheltered, warm location and remove wet clothing. 

However, if the individual is already confused, unresponsive, breathing shallowly and irregularly, with a slow pulse, avoid moving them, as sudden movement can lead to the transfer of very cold blood from the extremities to the core, potentially causing immediate cardiac arrest. 

Avoid rubbing or rapidly warming the body, as these actions may have the same effect. Instead, the first step should be to call emergency services.

Remember, these guidelines are general and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In any emergency situation, always seek immediate help from trained medical personnel.